Etymed
thromboembolic disease
Definition
A medical condition characterized by the presence of blood clots (thrombi) that have traveled through the circulatory system and become lodged in blood vessels (emboli), causing obstruction and potential organ damage
Clinical context
A 65-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset shortness of breath and chest pain that worsened with deep breathing. She has a history of atrial fibrillation and recently underwent hip replacement surgery. Physical examination reveals tachypnea and pleural friction rub on auscultation. A CT pulmonary angiogram shows filling defects in the pulmonary arteries.
Mnemonic
TREMBLE - Thrombus, Retinal, Embolus, Myocardial, Blood, Lungs, Extremities